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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Saturday was spent putting together everything in the crockpot for beef stew. This was the 1st time that I have used my crockpot. Then I got all the bed linens together, especially the comforters to take to the Laundromat. When I got home, I sort of made the bed, but didn’t tuck the sheets in because the mattress is to heavy for me to lift with my hand in the brace. When Ted got here he helped me finish. There is a shallow area under the mattress for storage, so I decided to store the linens and pillows that came with my rig under there just incase I ever sell this unit.

Ted didn’t get here until 8:30 or so, so I decided to go to Vintner's Wine Cellars to have a glass of wine and listen to Pastor Steve play and sing. It was enjoyable as usual.

We decided to unplug the shore power and see if everything is working okay and it is, yea. We just left it off for the day and plugged it back in because the nights are still kind of cold and I wouldn’t be able to use the electric heaters with just the solar.

This was early Sunday morning. Ted cleaned off the solar panels and the roof on the 5th wheel, just with water. I’m sure it will need it again, because of the tree that I am parked under. He also switched out my license plates and put on my TX plates. I will have to get my TX driver’s license when I get there.

After church he finished the both the sides and the truck and then helped me tame the wires under the desk and pack up the electronic peripherals associated with the internet that I had and don’t need now that my laptop, etc. is tethered to my I phone.

Later that evening we met Steve, Kyle and Spearman for diner at Piatti Italian Restaurant and Bar to celebrate Ted’s Birthday. The food was great, the company even better.

Of the three pictures above, I’m not sure who had what, but we all tasted it all, Steve had a Cesar Salad and Spearman had Pizza. It was all delicious. The waitress brought Ted a serving of Tiramisu with a candle which lasted all of less than minute. I didn’t even have time to get a before picture, although I did get the after . LOL

Ted brought me home, took a nap before he headed back to home to San Francisco.

Monday and Tuesday I worked on getting paperwork together regarding my taxes. As far as last night, what a storm! Angel and I stayed in bed until around 8:30/9:00 under a down comforter to stay warm, waiting for a break in the rain to let Angel out. She was out and in, in about one minute. She doesn’t like to get wet. Looks like most of the rain has gone from the valley and has settled over the Sierras to dump much needed Snowpack.

Another week closer to travel day. The plan is to leave early on Saturday March 10. Ted will be helping with the driving to Phoenix. He will be here on the 9th so we can hook everything up and do all the other preparation Friday night, so that we only need to pull the slides in and pull out.

Since last posting I have continued to find places for a few more things. Every ounce counts. The Sofa/Sleeper is still here. I will probably put it back on craigslist one more week. Every day has been about the same as it been (blogs, and movies), although I did get a bit of grocery shopping done and filled up the truck. We’ll just top it off when we leave.

Wednesday I met three of my former co-workers for lunch at Chili’s. I had the first margarita that I have had in about 45 years. It was good, just couldn’t finish it.

left to right; Mimi, Linda, Patricia and me.

Thank you ladies for my lunch. It was good, but the company and conversation was better. Linda and Mimi both followed me back home to meet Angel. (Mimi has met her, but Linda hadn’t) Of course, since Linda has heard so much about my fifth wheel, she had to get the tour . Mimi has friends that rescue dogs, so she was able to take Angel’s large crate along with a couple of things that had the VSP logo on it that I won’t need or use. After another hour or so of more conversation they had to leave before they would get stuck in rush hour traffic. Thank you all for a great visit. I hope that you all will follow me here on this blog.

Yesterday, I signed my Income Tax Forms, and now have to set up a payment schedule for both sate and federal. Not happy about it , but it is what it is and I have to do it.

Today it was just another errand day and had a dinner visit postponed until next Thursday. Looking forward to seeing my neighbors, Eric and Carol Our life with our dogs in an RV on 50 Amps, before I leave. I did cancel my land line and the internet service, because I switched the internet to be tethered to my i phone.

Tomorrow will be a busy day. I will get some laundry done. It will be all of my bed linens that I can’t do in my W/D. I will also need Ted to help make the bed because I won’t be able to lift the mattress to tuck in the fitted sheet, because of my hand. Ted will be coming this weekend to help me to make sure everything that he needs to do will get done. I will also be using my crockpot for the first time. Sunday we are having a pot luck at church, so I decided to make beef stew. I may even bring a cake too, because Ted’s birthday is on Monday..

That’s my plans for the weekend, I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend as well.

I think that I had better finish this as the left hand is getting a bit tired, since it’s the first time that I am typing with out the restraining “thingee” on and Angel is ready for bed.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Since it has been so chilly in the morning I have been staying under the down comforter rather than turning on a heater to keep warm. On Thursday I was up early and out of the door by 7:30 am to get the oil changed in the truck in preparation for leaving Sacramento in March. I know that maintenance on a diesel is more expensive, so I planned on under $200.00. I was pleasantly surprised when the bill was $90.24. The biggest expense was the oil.I would definitely recommend Jesse Dong Moc at the Neighborhood Garage.

He doesn’t charge for diagnosing what’s wrong and the labor is fair, only $12.00 this time.

Jesse (manager) Carl (electrical guy)

Carl is the one that fixed my blower last Summer, who was very personable and knowledgeable about RVs. They don’t normally work on diesel engines, but can do minor repairs like some electrical and oil changes. Since he doesn’t do transmissions, Jesse recommended California Transmissions, who also doesn’t charge for diagnostics and did a great upgrade on my transmission. So, I know, this sounds like a commercial, but I just wanted to reflect on my experiences there. They were great, so if you are in the Sacramento area (actually Rancho Cordova) and need their services, give them a call.

When I got home, I took a look at papers that I’ve kept one more time. A little bit more got tossed, some of it will go to the kids when I see them. Still trying to sell my sleeper/sofa to get rid of more weight. I put it on craigslist. I had a couple of responses that didn’t sound valid, so will have to do it again. Surely, there is someone locally that can use this.

No plans for the weekend, so maybe I will just get out and take Angel for a walk down by the American River. I hope that you all have a great weekend.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Saturday, after dumping all the tanks, I decided to finally try to get some of the tree drippings off my truck. It was really gross. It warmed up enough so that if I got wet, I wouldn’t freeze.

before after

It’s not perfect and I only did the front, but I don’t have to look at the mess, although the tree is still dropping berries or whatever it is. The rest can wait. After I leave, then I will do the whole thing.

Sunday, I just stopped at Safeway on the way home from church. I was getting a little bit low on groceries and I still had a gift card from when I retired. Thank you Team Kimi! With the card and using my Safeway card I spent $0.15 for over $85.00 worth of food. It would be nice if that were every day. Hee Hee. Other than getting a load of wash done, the rest of the day was spent catching up on reading blogs.

Now on Monday, there was good news, I saw Dr. Allen at U C Davis Orthopedic Clinic where after new x rays, he had them put a restraining cover, or a soft cast (or what ever it is called). Now all my fingers are free and I can take it off to wash my hands or hair or what ever. I just have to be very careful not to overdo and definitely not lift anything.

He wants me back the 5th or 6th of March, but I couldn’t get an appointment until the 12th. I hope to get an earlier appointment if they have a cancelation. I had planned on leaving for Phoenix on the 9th, when Ted can help me drive. One thing that I didn’t expect was that my hand would be bruised as much as it is, mostly from having the cast on not from the break. It is also sore from non-use. I am glad that they didn’t cast it again, because I will be able to use it a little bit to strengthen it.

Today, Tuesday, Gypsy came for lunch. We had spaghetti and blueberry shortcake for dessert. We had a great visit. I’m sure that her Lady will have some new smells when Marty (Gypsy) gets home.

The only other thing that I had to do was meet with my accountant to go over 2011 taxes. Yuck, but it has to be done.

Nothing more to do, so I will read more blogs and maybe watch a movie.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Just got a call from Publisher’s Clearing House to tell me that I have won $1,000,000.00. Now wouldn’t that be nice and solve all of my problems By now you might have guessed that it was a bogus call. PCH never calls to notify you of any winnings. After I got some names and phone #’s so I could call to verify if it was legit, I called PCH directly and the local police department to verify legitimacy. Of course, it wasn’t, so Monday I will call the PCH fraud line to give them the information that I have.

So this post is to put the warning out there. The rep at PCH told me that they always do their research 10 days before the award date when it will be a surprise to the recipient for any prize $10,000.00 or more. If it is under $10,000.00 the winner is notified by certified mail.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Another week has gone by. Not much is happening. It is really boring, being so limited in what I can do with one hand. I’m surprised that I CAN do as much I have been doing. I think the worst is that it doesn’t hurt and this %*(** cast is just in the way and I can’t get it wet.

In my last post I mentioned “waiting”, it was for a delivery of my new Sublimation Ink Printer. It is quite different than a regular printer. The copy that it makes is actually for a transfer that it is applied via a heat press to various items. This for my “Retirement Business” customizing or personalizing items and gifts at reasonable prices. I don’t expect to make a living with it, but to have fun with my art and make enough to keep me in materials to keep doing it.

Sublimation Regular Heat Press

fabric photo for quilting ceramic tile glass cutting board mug

Just some of the things that I can personalize,

Most of it can be done by way of internet and shipping to wherever. If you have any interest or know of anyone, you can email me.

I did get a little more done, most of my art supplies found a home in a container in the basement. My tanks got dumped. I really like the upgrade to my control panel. It no longer is the “Christmas” tree lights, but it now actually gives me the % . I usually leave the grey water open and then close them about a week before I need to dump the black water. One other thing that I found out is that I can only do one load of wash when the grey water is closed, so I have to be careful and make sure they are open. ( I found out the hard way. )

After some thought, for me would it focus on those that are important in my life or a philosophy of my life? What I finally came up with is, Following My Dream In My Spot. My dream includes family, friends, relationships and traveling.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Here it is, already Wednesday, and I’m waiting for a delivery. Don’t you just love waiting?

It is a bit time consuming to write these posts, hunting and pecking with one hand.

Since last Friday, it has been kind of slow. Not much that I can do, one handed without putting stress on my left hand.

Saturday, just caught up on laundry. I am so glad that I have a W/D, even though they are very small loads and takes about 3 hours, I put the clothes in, start the washer and forget about it. More catching up on blogs and watched a couple of movies took care of the rest of the day.

Now Sunday. I decided to cover my cast with a plastic bag instead of the cast cover that I bought on Friday. That one looked really cumbersome. It worked, so that would be going back.

The only way this worked was because of one of those rubber tourniquets tied in a knot and duct tape. The blue thing is a hospital “piddle” pad.

No ride to church, so I drove myself. It was easy, but I didn’t push it, just there and back. The rest of the day, more blogs, movies and I bit of sorting.

Monday I had to take the truck in for a follow up after the transmission upgrade. Since I was out I ran around taking care of business. Took back the cast cover, stopped at the post office, and splurged a little by getting a pedicure with reflexology. Oh that felt so goooood! After a couple more stops, I went home, saw a little TV, had dinner, read blogs and went to bed.

Tuesday, a stay at home day, just a kick back day until I got a bit guilty, so I sorted through more papers, though there’s still more to go through.

Still waiting! I think that if I get involved in something I might miss the delivery and I need him to bring it into the coach for me. Oh well, I’ll just make dinner, pork tenderloin, sautéed onions and mushrooms with butternut squash risotto and spinach. I don’t usually spend a lot of time cooking for just me, but this turned out good. What do you think?

The wait is over, The guy in the brown shorts delivered my new printer. More about that in another post. I had to get my neighbor to get it out of the box and put it on my desk, not heavy just needed two hands.

The challenge is to get the papers and art stuff sorted and organized. It will have to wait. It’s time for bed. Angel’s ready.